...

An awkward silence rose within the room currently occupied by the trio often seen together. Whether it was willingly or not was an entirely different topic. One might claim that it is while another would reject that notion.

Inside, the director of the Library was seen reading a book that came from one of the recently defeated guests who challenged the Library. Not too far, the unexpected guest that joined the librarians was taking a nap.

Finally, the third member of the group could be seen writing inside the book he carried around with him. What was once a pointless luggage became a way for the tired assistant to pass the time, both by himself and also with the other assistant librarians.

It was the bonding experience that some desperately needed while trapped within the Library and knowing that gave him the motivation to keep writing down more ideas, more thoughts and especially new stories within it.

Those moments were a routine whenever a brief moment of peace passed. Unfortunately, it often ended abruptly with the reception of new guests.

Today was not the day to defy that invisible rule.

???: Confirmed the Molar Office boarding the train.

The sudden and unexpected digital voice snapped everyone out of their own activities, making their gazes shift towards what the invitation was sending their way as a preview. The Grade 9 Fixer mumbled something under his breath and stood up to join the director.

The ex-captain quietly did the same.

Just like a previous trio of guests, the ones now presented to them took the vague shapes of a human but the comparison stopped there. Their bodies were fully replaced by machines.

???: You made sure to attach the observation device on them?

???: Mhm.

???: Bono, how's the observation going?

As they mentioned, their current location was a fresh memory in the back of the trio's mind... or more accurately, a certain duo, the third member currently being unable to forget her knowledge.

Them mentioning the Molar Office caused a second memory to resurface: the faulty Warp train.

Y/N: Why were they following the Molar Office..?

His question remained unanswered for now as they kept their focus on what the invitation revealed to them.

What followed was a conversation between the partners in crime, one showing doubts about whether to go through with what they were about to do. Although his head could not show any expressions, an aura of hesitation could easily be felt.

The leader of the group, however, was not fazed in the slightest by his question and calmly replied while taking a look at a device he was carrying.

???: How many times should I say that we can get 2 million Ahn right away through an untracable source?

Dalloc: It's a deal offered by Cane Office, so we can probably trust this.

With one ear still paying attention to what was said, the exhausted assistant leaned slightly towards the man in a black suit and whispered in an attempt to not be heard by the machine present.

Y/N: Is that a lot? I think it's money, right?

Roland: Hm, an amount like that could keep someone afloat for at least a few months.

Y/N: I see...

Luckily for him, the moment a question akin to "Why would someone offer such a high amount of money?" rose in his head, fate quickly twisted its knots and offered an explanation on a silver platter

Bono: I don't trust like that. Pay isn't the problem here. If we get caught trying to uncover the secrets of a Singularity, we're done for. No insurance is gonna protect us.

???: I understand that you're scared because R Corp has W Corp's back. But we aren't gonna quit here, are we?

At the mention of the former corporation, a slight shift in Angela's focus was faintly seen. On the other hand, the agent's eyes widened slightly. He recognized the name and a certain someone attached to it.

A white haired rabbit with a red gaze. Just thinking about her made him uneasy.

Dalloc: The Warp train is departing in 5 minutes.

Bono: Seriously, I'm not feeling this. Does it even make sense that we can track the cause and effect of everything with some weird observation device we sneaked onto 'em?

Dalloc: It's the device Cane Office gave us. They said it's invaluable with only a few copies of it in the City.

???: And we verified its performance ourselves.

As the exchange continued, the worker assigned to no specific floor couldn't help but think about the group that made the Molar Office. Although the exchange they had was short, he couldn't remember seeing something on them that would look like a device.

The most likely probability would be that he simply missed it. However, it was also a possibility that the observation device they talked about was snuck into an inconspicuous space.

If that was the case then the tired librarian had to give whoever put it on them a 'bravo', even if the idea of sneaking something like this on someone else without any remorse turned his face into a grimace.

"Is everyone in the City like this?", his conflicted emotions were met by a faint & hopeful reply: "Of course not, I'm sure many others are like that kid, Finn".

...Sadly, it only brought back the sour fact that they took the life of someone like that with no hesitation.

Dalloc: Hey! The train's heading off.

???: Okay. We just need to wait 10 seconds now.

Bono: 9... 8... The causality-whatever-recording device is working for now. 7... Wait... Something's not right...?

Dalloc: They're missing... We can't observe them anymore...

Bono: Gone missing in a Warp train? It hasn't even arrived at its destination yet...

A bead of sweat formed on both the Grade 9 Fixer & the assistant librarian's faces as they figured out that the possible reason for this was their defeat in the Library. Angela, however, remained completely still.

During that moment of realization, the leader of the Gaze Office pulled out from his coat a piece of paper that the trio observing them knew. The invitation was finally shown to them.

???: ...It could have something to do with this. This thing had the book of the Molar Office listed on it like it knows what we were doing.

Dalloc: That can't be. Not even a minute has passed since they disappeared.

...A minute? As far as the ex-captain could tell, a singular minute between the reception of the Molar Office and the current vision they were having was pratically impossible. Unless, for a strange reason, the time both inside & outside the prison they were in were different.

Of course, the time spent in that faulty Warp train was seemingly an exception so he ignored the period of time they spent watching what occured inside.

In the hope of finding an answer, his head turned towards the director. She quickly sensed his pair of eyes drilling in the back of her head and did the same.

Angela: I can assure you that the time we are experiencing is matching the City's.

Roland: ...Huh?

The Grade 9 Fixer did not catch the silent exchange they both had towards each other and was left confused by her sudden words.

Angela's assistant slowly nodded back in return, though the hazy brain within his skull was still trying to process what he heard.

When the librarians returned their attention to what was shown to them, the trio trying to spy on W Corp's Singularity were looking down at the invitation given to them, pondering on the proposal.

Bono: So, what's the plan. Are we gonna head to that bizarre place?

Dalloc: We don't have any other way.

Bono: Even if 2 million Ahns is on the line, I don't wanna risk my life. Going there won't guarantee success, either...

The leader of the trio completely ignored Bono's remark and kept his lenses on the rewards offered to them, as if it was worth betting their lives on it.

???: We might find be able to see what happened on the train if we read their books.

The hesitant one relunctantly accepted his fate as he mumbled back.

Bono: ...I just hope things don't get screwed even further.

With his final words the sight they were offered vanished, leaving like usual a certain AI filled with many questions that she immediately sent towards her uninvited guest.

Like usual, the agent remained mostly on the quiet side since he had nothing much to bring up in the topic.

Today's questions were about the Singularities of the City. Hearing the term made the assistant assume that it was complex knowledge that not many people would know but the way Roland calmly explained quickly made him think otherwise.

...Was it an indirect jab at the man in a black suit? No one will know.

Roland: I'm sure L Corp put a lot of effort into keeping it's Singularity's secret, too. The eco-friendly energy company, founded right after the Smoke War! We were freed from that suffocating smoke thanks to your corp.

The Patron librarian of the Floor of General Work exclaimed with a smile but only received a couple of mixed expressions. One clearly did not enjoy the company being shown under a positive light while the second member was looking down.

Y/N: ...I wouldn't call it 'friendly' in general.

Painful memories quickly piled up in the back of his head. The monsters that were contained in that facility were friendly to nothing other than themselves... most of them. The floating skull on a cross acted as one of the few exceptions.

Angela: Can a Singularity be stolen if its secrets are exposed?

Roland: Nah, that's not how it works. Those guys are probably just looking for some clues to how the Singularity functions so they can sell that info to another Wing or a big Syndicate. After that, the party with the secrets will use that to extort money and stuff from the Wing.

Y/N: Wouldn't that risk the start of a war between them? What if the Wing starts attempting to silence everyone to not say anything?

Roland: Wouldn't be the first time if that was the case.

Y/N: ...So many deaths.

Roland: With how big the City is, a thousand deaths for the sake of keeping the secret of their Singularity safe would be nothing.

The machine sitting beside them stood up from her seat and let out a deep sigh as she turned to keep the both of them in her vision.

Angela: It's all about money in the end.

Roland: Anyway, I'm kinda curious about what happened to that Warp train.

Angela: ...Let us receive our guests first.

The director was right, their upcoming guest could arrive at any moment. Roland knew that and was forced to take his leave for now. He had to make his way back to his floor and prepare his assistants.

With him gone, the exhausted worker grabbed the book he left where he sat and glanced back at where Angela stood, only to see her gone as well. Just like usual, the assistant took a deep breath and made his way out.

It might not look like it but the constant back & forth from the top floor to the entrance helped him keep a certain level of cardio, even if his body was no longer something that could called "changeable" in its current state.

'Better to start now before we get out of here', he mumbled to himself and picked up the pace.

...

...

Angela: Greetings dear guests.

Y/N: I'm Y/N, current assistant of the Library's director.

Just like the previous times, the man who was starting to show signs of recovery against his fatigue extended a hand towards the leader of Gaze Office. Unfortunately, his attempt at being welcoming was met with an uncomfortable silence.

A bead of sweat formed on his face as he realized that everyone's gazes were on him.

???: How did you get the book of the Molar Office? They were supposed to be in the Warp train. For only a few seconds!

Angela: Well, how did we do it, I wonder?

The AI with short hair replied with a faint smile on her face, probably enjoying to be in control of the conversation.

This only made her unwilling helper's mood sink further. It was the first time he was genuinely ignored like he wasn't there. Even the Stray Dogs, who punched him when he tried to calm the situation, paid more attention to him than they were.

Bono glanced in his direction briefly but only out of fear that he might stab him in the back while he wasn't paying attention.

Finally, the third member of the group, after watching what was unfolding in front of her, raised a hand to greet his. It was a handshake offered out of pity.

Y/N: ...Uh, thanks.

Still, regardless of the intention, it remained a handshake nonetheless in the eyes, it was better than receiving a fist in the skull or being completely ignored.

Angela: Unraveling the secrets of the Library must come with a heavy price, like how digging into the princicples of Singularities is a laborious affair, no?

Bono: That was a stupid question from us.

Dalloc: I have no idea what's going on...

As she said so, she immediately noticed the librarian standing next to her taking a look at her "head", showing signs of curiosity.

Y/N: That's a lot of cameras.

Dalloc: I suppose.

Y/N: Is it like having multiple pairs of eyes?

Dalloc: ...

The smaller Fixer fell silent for a moment before lightly nodding back. It has been a while since she last saw someone looking at her mechanical head with genuine confusion, not disdain, just pure interest.

It was like the man standing next to her had never seen prosthetics in his entire life.

And from his perspective, his interest had a reason behind it. Because, unlike the trio belonging to the Brothehood of Steel, the "head" attached to Dalloc's body possessed a more unconventional form. For someone like him, with close to no memories, it was a new knowledge that he wanted to learn.

Sadly, his own quest for said knowledge was shattered by reality in the form of a voice calling the name of the person standing next to them. The one representing Gaze Office called Dalloc's name before making his way inside.

Her cameras sent one final look at the ex-agent before silently following her allies.

Y/N: ...No answer, huh.

Angela: I find it strange for you to be interested in something like this.

Y/N: Well, it's not everyday that I get to talk to someone like this. Especially since I'm stuck here, you know?

The slight shift of tone in his voice as he finished his sentence was not unnoticed by the machine in charge of the Library.

Y/N: ...I'll have to go ask Hava later. She seems like the type to know a lot.

It wouldn't be the first that she knew something that the others were oblivious to, the many days they spent together in the Lobotomy Corporation facility proved that.

The assistant opened the book he carried and hurriedly scribbled down a few questions he wanted to keep in mind before making his way towards the stairs. There was no need for him to be here now that the guests were gone.

Angela silently watched him walk past her, feeling a glare form as he walked away. However, she couldn't pinpoint the reason why. She decided to ignore it for now and snapped her fingers, sending herself back to the top floor.

...

Hava: ...You mean full body replacements?

Y/N: I think that's what it's called.

The ex-captain looked at the girl lazing around on Netzach's couch with a wide grin on her face. On the floor in front of the furniture, the Sephirah in question was sleeping. Elis was nowhere to be found.

Hava: I was never interested in that stuff so I wouldn't be able to tell you.

Y/N: I see..

Hava: It costs way too much for a good body anyway, it's not worth it. You're better off getting something more effective.

Y/N: ...Like tattoos? I've heard Roland mention them before.

The devil with red eyes flicked her wrist before reaching for a can of beer placed on the floor. She opened it, took a sip and moved her single visible eye back onto his face.

Hava: Those are goods, I personally never got one. I prefer augmentation surgeries alongside a sturdy weapon.

Weapon? Why would she-

Upon mentioning that final word, the director's helper blinked out of surprise until pieces assembled themselves. He quickly looked back at her.

Y/N: Hava, were you a-?

However, in the brief period of time he was pondering, his interlocutor had fallen in a semi-slumber caused by the alcohol. It wasn't surprising, considering that it was her 15th can in a row.

It only left the question in the ex-employee's mouth stuck there before dying off. There was no point asking her in her current state.

Hava: Hey.

Y/N: Yea?

With a bead of sweat falling falling down his face out of disappointment, the sober assistant replied.

The girl under Netzach's orders grabbed his sleeve and pulled him closer, accidentally forcing one of his feet directly in her Sephirah's face and making the ex-captain trip on top of her.

The man dressed in green held his face as he mumbled in his sleep.

Hava: Come on, take a break.

Y/N: ...I'll pass, especially after everything you drank.

Hava: Good one~

A part of him wanted to reply with a "It wasn't supposed to be a joke" but he knew better at this point to argue with someone drunk.

He let out a sigh of defeat and tried his best to stand back on his feet, shoving a second accidental kick on the Patron librarian's body.

Hava: You're not gonna catch up your lack of sleep like that~

Y/N: I don't think I'd be able to sleep, even if I accepted your offer.

Angela's unwilling assistant rolled his eyes and freed himself from the girl's grasp before making his way out. Now that his business was done, he had no reason to remain here and with the smell currently in the air, it only made his exit much faster.

Y/N: Try not to crush Netzach.

Hava: Yea yea, just go.

She sent him with a casual wave aimed at the door... only to then drop her empty can on the man's still sleeping face. Today was not his lucky day.

With closed eyes, the ex-worker closed the door and walked away.

(Hey everyone, sorry for the big delay for the update. For those of you who don't read the Lobotomi High story, I said that I would temporarily put a pause on writing until I was done with Canto 5. Now that I finished it, I can resume my normal schedule.

Also it's kinda funny how if it wasn't for the game saying it directly, the player would never know Alloc's name since they never mention it. I just realized that while rewatching the cutscene.)